Ben Sira 39:15-25

15 Ascribe majesty to his name and give thanks to him with praise, with songs on your lips, and with harps; this is what you shall say in thanksgiving:
16 "All the works of the Lord are very good, and whatever he commands will be done at the appointed time.
17 No one can say, "What is this?' or "Why is that?'— for at the appointed time all such questions will be answered. At his word the waters stood in a heap, and the reservoirs of water at the word of his mouth.
18 When he commands, his every purpose is fulfilled, and none can limit his saving power.
19 The works of all are before him, and nothing can be hidden from his eyes.
20 From the beginning to the end of time he can see everything, and nothing is too marvelous for him.
21 No one can say, "What is this?' or "Why is that?'— for everything has been created for its own purpose.
22 "His blessing covers the dry land like a river, and drenches it like a flood.
23 But his wrath drives out the nations, as when he turned a watered land into salt.
24 To the faithful his ways are straight, but full of pitfalls for the wicked.
25 From the beginning good things were created for the good, but for sinners good things and bad.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Heb Lat: Gk [sinners bad things]
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.